As the 2016 Olympics comes to an end, we look back on some of the highlights and the legacy, both for Rio and Team GB
Part Two: Rio’s Legacy
Post-Olympics, this week I am waking up to a half drunk bottle of Cachaca, a bag of limes and a can of black beans; not much of an Olympic legacy. But, what is Rio waking up to? After 16 days of hosting a spectacularly colourful yet controversial Olympic games, what’s next for the city of Rio?
We all know that spending on the upcoming Paralympics has been reduced meaning that some event venues will be closed, transport will be limited and there will be a smaller workforce running the show. Poorly constructed roads, cycleways and buildings, high crime and violence and a country suffering from high unemployment, recession and a crippling spend on the Olympics are filling our newsfeeds and papers. Surely there must be some good for the city to come from the Olympics?
The legacy of London 2012 is still going strong. Massive investment in the London Olympic village in east London has made the area attractive as a hub for living and working – highlighted by the fact that in the past four years office rents have tripled. Tourism is prolific, 11 million visitors have passed through the gates of the Olympic stadium since 2012 and there is no sign of this fading. Plus, there has been an incredible sporting legacy for the nation, enabling Great Britain to win more medals than ever before at Rio 2016.
What will the legacy for Rio be? The city has great plans to contribute to education, sustainability and improving the city’s infrastructure – much of which has already started. They have trained an army of volunteers to support the games and an Olympic village to house 18,000 people, potentially impacting employability and tackling poor quality housing. Only time will tell as to its success.
What is certain is that Rio has reasserted itself as the world’s carnival capital – with the city showing its flare for an excellent party throughout the games. Brazil’s colourful culture is a legacy that the whole world can enjoy.
Photo credit: Will Henderson